BBC invites abolished orchestra to the Proms
mainThe best name that leaps out of the coming BBC Proms season is that of SWR Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden and Freiburg, with its conductor, Franz-Xavier Roth.
The orchestra has been fighting a losing battle – with the help of leading conductors from Boulez to Rattle – to stop the SWR merging it with its other orchestra in Stuttgart.
Ignoring public opinion, SWR bosses forced through the merger. Roth’s orchestra will cease to exist next year.
All praise to the BBC for delivering this none-too-subtle slap around the collegial cheeks to the SWR’s hierararchy for their crass and blundering actions.
We should all try to turn out for this salutary farewell concert.
Roth would be a superb and daring choice for the NY Philharmonic, if he were to become available.
I hadn’t made that connection. Yes, it’s a bold move. Also a wonderful program of Ligeti, Bartok and the Boulex ‘..explosante fixe…’
(SD reader John Borstlap would love it)